Action verbs and linking verbs Worksheet Practice Exercises with Answers

Lesson 9: Action Verbs And Linking Verbs

The verbs we have looked at so far, such as go, sing, and revise, all show actions. In fact, they're called action verbs. However, there are other verbs which don't show actions. These are most commonly called linking verbs. One example of such a verb is the word seem, as in the sentences, You seem tired, They've seemed busy lately. Don't worry, though: seem still follows our should or to rules: Harry should seem surprised at times; You don't want to seem arrogant, do you? So even though seem isn't showing an action, it's easy to identify it as a verb. Other examples of linking verbs are resemble and become. Linking verbs express a relationship between the noun or pronoun that comes before the linking verb and whatever follows it.

Question 1. Which of the following words are verbs? See if each sounds like a complete unit when you put the word here: should or to. Check the appropriate column. All the verbs will be linking verbs. You may have to put some in their base form to be sure. (1) tasted
Answer: Verb
In simple words: When you say "should tasted" or "to tasted," it sounds complete, so tasted is a verb.

Exam Tip: Use the "should or to" test to find verbs - if the word works with these helper words, it's a verb.

Question 2. Friendly
Answer: Not a verb
In simple words: "Should friendly" or "to friendly" doesn't sound right, so friendly is not a verb.

Exam Tip: Words that describe qualities (adjectives) will fail the should/to test.

Question 3. Shady
Answer: Not a verb
In simple words: "Should shady" or "to shady" doesn't work, so shady is not a verb.

Exam Tip: Describing words fail the verb test.

Question 4. Be
Answer: Verb
In simple words: "Should be" or "to be" sounds complete, so be is a linking verb.

Exam Tip: Forms of "be" are always verbs and work perfectly with the should/to test.

Question 5. Got
Answer: Verb
In simple words: "Should got" or "to got" works, so got is a verb.

Exam Tip: Past tense forms of verbs still pass the should/to test.

Question 6. Underline the verbs in these sentences. Test each word to see if it sounds like a complete unit when you put the word here: should or to. All the verbs will be linking verbs. You may have to put some in their base form to be sure. (1) Barry will feel awful about it.
Answer: The verb is feel. This is a linking verb because you can say "should feel" and the meaning stays the same.
In simple words: The word "feel" is the verb, and it's a linking verb because "Barry should feel awful" makes sense - feel links Barry to how he feels.

Exam Tip: Watch for helping verbs like "will" - the main verb comes after them.

Question 7. Melissa resembles her mother.
Answer: The verb is resembles. This is a linking verb because Melissa = her mother in meaning.
In simple words: "Resembles" is the verb, and it's linking because it shows Melissa looks like her mother.

Exam Tip: Linking verbs often show a connection or comparison between the subject and what follows.

Question 8. Zack sounded extremely angry.
Answer: The verb is sounded. This is a linking verb because you can substitute "was" - Zack was extremely angry - and keep the same meaning.
In simple words: "Sounded" is the verb, and it's linking because it tells us how Zack came across to others.

Exam Tip: The be or seem substitution test helps you spot linking verbs in sentences.

Question 9. The fish tasted undercooked.
Answer: The verb is tasted. This is a linking verb because you can say "The fish was undercooked" and the meaning stays the same.
In simple words: "Tasted" is the verb. It's linking because the fish seemed or appeared undercooked.

Exam Tip: Linking verbs often describe a state or condition of the subject.

Question 10. You were not home early.
Answer: The verb is were. This is a linking verb - it's a form of be, which is always a linking verb.
In simple words: "Were" is the verb, and all forms of "be" are linking verbs that connect the subject to information about it.

Exam Tip: Forms of be (am, are, is, was, were, been, being) are always linking verbs.

Quick Tip 9.1

The forms of the irregular verb be are: am, are, is, was, were, be, been, being.

Note that be and become are two different verbs. Here are the forms of become: become, becomes, became, becoming.

Question 11. Underline the forms of be in each of the sentences below. Some sentences may contain more than one form of be. (1) Paul was in power at that moment.
Answer: The form of be is was.
In simple words: The word "was" is a form of be - it shows Paul's condition at that time.

Exam Tip: Look for am, are, is, was, were, been, or being to find forms of be.

Question 12. They are absolutely correct in their thinking.
Answer: The form of be is are.
In simple words: "Are" is a form of be - it connects the subject to the description that follows.

Exam Tip: Forms of be show a state or condition of the subject.

Question 13. Your suitcases were in the overhead compartment during the flight.
Answer: The form of be is were.
In simple words: "Were" is a form of be - it tells where the suitcases were located.

Exam Tip: Be forms can show location, state, or description.

Question 14. Christina has been wanting to go to Europe for a long time.
Answer: The form of be is been.
In simple words: "Been" is a form of be - it appears here after the helping verb "has".

Exam Tip: Sometimes be appears after other helping verbs like has, have, or had.

Question 15. What is wrong with being a good student?
Answer: The forms of be are is and being.
In simple words: "Is" is a form of be (the main verb), and "being" is also a form of be (used after the verb).

Exam Tip: In one sentence, there can be more than one form of be.

The Most Common Linking Verb: Be

The most common linking verb is the verb be, often called the copula. You can see different forms of the verb be in the following sentences.

1. I am happy.
2. You are happy.
3. He is happy.
4. I was happy.
5. You were happy.
6. I have been happy.
7. He is being happy.

Notice how different these forms are from the base form of be. In fact, be is the most irregular verb in the English language: it has more forms than any other verb. But you can still use the should or to test to identify be as a verb: You should be happy, They decided to be happy.

Question 16. Underline the forms of be in each of the sentences below. Some will be written as contractions. (1) They're usually home by now.
Answer: The form of be is 're (which is are written as a contraction: they're).
In simple words: "They're" is short for "they are," so "are" is the form of be hidden in this contraction.

Exam Tip: Contractions hide verbs - expand them to find the real verb form.

Question 17. Are you worried about anything?
Answer: The form of be is are.
In simple words: "Are" is a form of be - it stands alone at the start of this question.

Exam Tip: Be forms appear at the beginning of questions too.

Question 18. I heard that the flight was late.
Answer: The form of be is was.
In simple words: "Was" is the form of be in this sentence - it describes the flight's condition.

Exam Tip: Don't confuse other verbs like "heard" with forms of be.

Question 19. We're honored by your presence.
Answer: The form of be is 're (which is are written as a contraction: we're).
In simple words: "We're" is short for "we are," so "are" is the form of be in this contraction.

Exam Tip: Always check contractions - they often hide forms of be.

Question 20. It's too bad that the Yankees lost last night.
Answer: The form of be is 's (which is is written as a contraction: it's).
In simple words: "It's" is short for "it is," so "is" is the form of be hidden in this contraction.

Exam Tip: Watch out - not all contractions hide be. Look for 'm, 're, 's, 'd, 'll, or 've after be forms.

Question 21. Which of these words is a verb? See if it sounds like a complete unit when you put the word here: should or to. Check the appropriate column. Some of the verbs are linking verbs and some are action verbs. All the verbs will be in their base forms. (1) Resemble
Answer: Verb
In simple words: "Should resemble" or "to resemble" sounds right, so resemble is a verb. It's a linking verb.

Exam Tip: Both action and linking verbs pass the should/to test.

Question 22. Become
Answer: Verb
In simple words: "Should become" or "to become" works, so become is a verb. It's a linking verb.

Exam Tip: Linking verbs show a change or a state - become shows change.

Question 23. This
Answer: Not a verb
In simple words: "Should this" or "to this" doesn't sound right, so this is not a verb.

Exam Tip: Words that point to things (pronouns) are not verbs.

Question 24. Be
Answer: Verb
In simple words: "Should be" or "to be" works perfectly, so be is a verb. It's the most common linking verb.

Exam Tip: Be is always a verb - it's the base form of am, are, is, was, were, been, being.

Question 25. New
Answer: Not a verb
In simple words: "Should new" or "to new" doesn't work, so new is not a verb.

Exam Tip: Words that describe qualities (adjectives) fail the verb test.

Question 26. Which of these words is a verb? You may have to put some in their base forms in order to be sure. Some are linking verbs. (1) Appeared
Answer: Verb
In simple words: "Should appear" or "to appear" works, so appeared is a verb. It's a linking verb.

Exam Tip: Put words in their base form to test them - appeared becomes appear.

Question 27. Attends
Answer: Verb
In simple words: "Should attend" or "to attend" works, so attends is a verb. It's an action verb.

Exam Tip: Changing verb forms (attends, attended, attending) are still verbs.

Question 28. Whenever
Answer: Not a verb
In simple words: "Should whenever" or "to whenever" doesn't work, so whenever is not a verb.

Exam Tip: Words that show time (conjunctions) are not verbs.

Question 29. Was
Answer: Verb
In simple words: "Should was" might be awkward, but "to be" works, so was is a verb. It's a form of be.

Exam Tip: Forms of be are always verbs - check the base form if you're unsure.

Question 30. Heard
Answer: Verb
In simple words: "Should hear" or "to hear" works, so heard is a verb. It's an action verb.

Exam Tip: Past tense verbs still work with the should/to test in their base form.

Question 31. Underline the verb in each of the following sentences. You may have to put some in their base forms and test each word with should or to in order to be sure of your answer. Each sentence has only one verb. The verbs in this exercise are all action verbs. (1) The car spun out of control.
Answer: The verb is spun.
In simple words: "Spun" is the action verb - the car did this action.

Exam Tip: Action verbs show what the subject does.

Question 32. Don't talk during the movie.
Answer: The verb is talk (do is just a helping word).
In simple words: "Talk" is the action verb - don't is just a helping word that makes it negative.

Exam Tip: Don't and do are helping verbs - the real verb comes after them.

Question 33. The doctor tied a strip of gauze around her hand.
Answer: The verb is tied.
In simple words: "Tied" is the action verb - the doctor performed this action.

Exam Tip: Look for the word that shows what the subject does.

Question 34. Maxine spent too much money.
Answer: The verb is spent.
In simple words: "Spent" is the action verb - Maxine did this action with her money.

Exam Tip: Action verbs show real events or activities.

Question 35. They saw the play last Sunday.
Answer: The verb is saw.
In simple words: "Saw" is the action verb - they performed this action on a specific day.

Exam Tip: Past tense action verbs are still action verbs.

Question 36. Identify the verb in each of the following sentences. You may have to put some in their base forms and test each word with should or to in order to be sure of your answer. Each sentence has only one verb. The verbs in this exercise will be either action or linking verbs. (1) That was the best meal in the world.
Answer: The verb is was. This is a linking verb - a form of be.
In simple words: "Was" is the verb, and it's linking because it tells us about the meal's quality.

Exam Tip: Forms of be are always linking verbs.

Question 37. I understand your point.
Answer: The verb is understand. This is an action verb.
In simple words: "Understand" is the action verb - the speaker is doing this action.

Exam Tip: Action verbs show what the subject is doing.

Question 38. Maybe they know each other well.
Answer: The verb is know. This is an action verb.
In simple words: "Know" is the action verb - they perform this action of knowing.

Exam Tip: Even mental actions count as action verbs.

Question 39. She is from Wisconsin.
Answer: The verb is is. This is a linking verb - a form of be.
In simple words: "Is" is the verb. It's linking because it tells where she comes from.

Exam Tip: The verb "is" shows a state or quality about the subject.

Question 40. Those flowers smell heavenly.
Answer: The verb is smell. This is a linking verb - you can say "Those flowers are heavenly" and keep the meaning.
In simple words: "Smell" is the verb. It's linking because you can swap it with "are" and the sentence still makes sense.

Exam Tip: Use the "be or seem" substitution test to spot linking verbs.

How Can You Determine If A Verb Is Being Used As An Action Verb Or A Linking Verb?

There are a number of differences between them. One way is to think of a linking verb as an equal sign (=). For example:

12. Harry resembles his brother.
Harry = his brother.

13. You are bored.
You = bored.

14. That strange looking vegetable tastes awful.
That strange looking vegetable = awful.

Resembles, are, and tastes are each being used here as linking verbs.

Another way to identify a linking verb is to see if you can substitute a form of be for it, and leave the meaning basically the same. For example, take the sentence John seems interested in the conversation. We can substitute a form of be, specifically, is, for seems: John is interested in the conversation. Thus, seems is a linking verb in the sentence John seems interested in the conversation. Take a look at some more examples.

15. After a while, the hotel became dingy.
After a while, the hotel was dingy.

16. Annie and Janine look surprised.
Annie and Janine are surprised.

17. Although in his eighties, he remains youthful-looking.
Although in his eighties, he is youthful-looking.

Thus, became, look, and remains are being used as linking verbs in these sentences. Remember that be and its forms can also be used as linking verbs.

Quick Tip 9.2

If you can substitute a form of be for a verb and the meaning of the sentence is basically the same, the verb is probably being used as a linking verb. The verb be and its forms are also linking verbs.

Another way to identify a linking verb is to see if you can substitute a form of the word seem for it, and leave the meaning basically the same. For example, in the sentence, The hot shower felt soothing, we can substitute a form of seem for felt, and leave the sentence largely unchanged: The hot shower seemed soothing. Note the following examples:

18a. After a while, the hotel became dingy.
18b. After a while, the hotel seemed dingy.

19a. Annie and Janine look surprised.
19b. Annie and Janine seem surprised.

20a. Although in his eighties, he remains youthful-looking.
20b. Although in his eighties, he seems youthful-looking.

Thus, became, look, and remains are being used as linking verbs in these sentences. Again, while this test also isn't foolproof, it will help you identify whether a verb is an action or linking verb.

Quick Tip 9.3

If you can substitute a form of seem for a verb and the meaning of the sentence is basically the same, the verb is probably being used as a linking verb.

Question 41. Decide if the underlined verbs in the sentences below are action or linking verbs. In this exercise, if it's a form of be, it's being used as a linking verb. If it's not a form of be, use the be or seem substitution tests to see if the verb is being used as a linking verb. (1) The Czar was a person of high rank.
Answer: Linking verb
In simple words: "Was" is a form of be, so it's always a linking verb here.

Exam Tip: Any form of be is always a linking verb.

Question 42. That dog barks a lot.
Answer: Action verb
In simple words: "Barks" is an action - the dog performs this activity.

Exam Tip: If you can't swap the verb with "be" or "seem" and keep the meaning, it's likely an action verb.

Question 43. Mr. Kelly watched the traffic below his window.
Answer: Action verb
In simple words: "Watched" is an action - Mr. Kelly performed this action.

Exam Tip: Action verbs show real activities or events.

Question 44. You have been a terrific friend to me over the years.
Answer: Linking verb
In simple words: "Been" is a form of be, so it's a linking verb. It tells what you are to the speaker.

Exam Tip: "Been" and "being" are forms of be and are always linking verbs.

Question 45. I love the way the pillows feel so cozy in this hotel.
Answer: Linking verb
In simple words: "Feel" is linking here because you can say "the pillows are cozy" and keep the same meaning.

Exam Tip: Some verbs like feel can be action or linking - test them with be or seem.

Question 46. Underline the verb in each sentence below and decide if it's being used as an action or linking verb. In this exercise, if the verb is a form of be, it's being used as a linking verb. If it's not a form of be, use the be or seem substitution tests to see if the verb is being used as a linking verb. (1) They became best friends.
Answer: Verb: became. This is a linking verb. You can say "They were best friends" and keep the meaning.
In simple words: "Became" is linking because you can swap it with "were" - both show a change in state.

Exam Tip: Became is a linking verb - it shows a change to a state or condition.

Question 47. It is not nearly the same as mine.
Answer: Verb: is. This is a linking verb - a form of be.
In simple words: "Is" is a form of be, so it's always linking. It makes a comparison here.

Exam Tip: "Is" is always a linking verb - it shows a state or comparison.

Question 48. Unfortunately, I forgot